Contributions
1,165 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDraft Fisheries (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019The hon. Gentleman’s comments went somewhat outside scope towards the end. I will first address those pertinent to this particular order and then touch on some of the points he…29 Jan 2019HANSARDDraft Fisheries (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019I will seek clarification and may get an update on the difference between paragraphs (1) and (2) before I conclude my comments. The hon. Gentleman also made some comments about…29 Jan 2019HANSARDDraft Fisheries (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019What I will do is check the hon. Gentleman’s point and write to him. This is a point he has persisted with. I feel I have answered him, and from the notes I have seen, I am…29 Jan 2019HANSARDDraft Fisheries (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019The hon. Gentleman raises a valid point, but it goes beyond something I am able to agree here, since the Government across the board are looking at the issues and different…29 Jan 2019HANSARDAgriculture and Fisheries Council: January 2019The Agriculture and Fisheries Council takes place in Brussels on 28 January. As the provisional agenda stands, the primary focus for agriculture will be on the post-2020 common…24 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Food and Drink StandardsWe have been absolutely clear that we will not water down or dilute our approach to food standards, food safety or animal welfare in pursuit of a trade deal. Any future treaty…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Food and Drink StandardsAs we leave the European Union and establish national control in these areas, of course it is possible that we can improve our legislation in a number of areas where EU…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Food and Drink StandardsI do not accept that caricature. Indeed, we worked very hard last year to ensure that a British official took the chairmanship of one of the important Codex committees dealing…17 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe guidance that the hon. Lady cites is obviously for a worst-case scenario, but the reality on pet travel schemes is that we would have the freedom to adopt a risk-based…17 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt was a real pleasure to meet my hon. Friend and a number of his constituents. We will give careful consideration to the amendments tabled to the Bill on Report and also to…17 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsClause 1 of the Agriculture Bill makes explicit provision to support and incentivise our landscapes and countryside to help some of those smaller farmers. The modelling that has…17 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt was a pleasure to have the hon. Lady on the Agriculture Bill Committee, where she raised some of those issues. In particular, we discussed the impact of imported soya on our…17 Jan 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI can reassure my hon. Friend that I have already looked closely at some of the interesting amendments he has tabled.17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Food and Drink StandardsAs we leave the EU under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, retained EU law will ensure that we maintain our existing food and drinks standards.17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Farming PolicyThe Agriculture Bill is a central part of the Government’s programme of legislation to deliver a smooth departure from the European Union. It is the most significant reform of…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Farming PolicyThe way to get no deal off the table is to agree a deal and to engage in a discussion about it. I simply say to hon. Members: what kind of deal do they think they would get from…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Farming PolicyI thank my hon. Friend for the sterling work he did on the Agriculture Bill Committee and as a member of the DEFRA team until recently. As he says, we are completely changing the…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Farming PolicyMy hon. Friend makes a very important point. The Government have been absolutely clear that we will not compromise our animal welfare and food safety standards in pursuit of a…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Farming PolicyUpland farmers, including sheep farmers, will be able to readily access many of the public goods listed in clause 1 of the Bill. Organisations such as the Uplands Alliance are…17 Jan 2019HANSARDLeaving the EU: Farming PolicyThere are two ways in which a UK framework can be delivered. First, it is important to recognise that agriculture is devolved. Although the Welsh Government have asked us to add a…17 Jan 2019